STURBRIDGE — The chairman of the Board of Selectmen said he will not participate in any votes dealing with claims from town workers that they were injured on duty — not unless there is some type of third-party independent review in place.

Firefighter and EMT Eric Ropollo claims he was injured on duty on June 14. On Monday night, what should have been a routine vote of selectmen to accept Mr. Ropollo's injured-on-duty claim instead became a discussion about town policy and second opinions.

Mr. Creamer is a former Worcester firefighter who was placed on involuntary retirement after suffering a multilevel hernia rupture, requiring multiple surgeries, during preparation for dive rescue operations. He has been collecting a disability pension since Oct. 19, 2004. Mr. Creamer said it is the responsibility of the town to make sure that anyone who claims to be injured on duty and is getting paid 72 percent of his pay tax-free has put in a legitimate claim.

"In many of the communities that I am familiar with, if an individual goes IOD, they have their personal doctor who will provide a statement as to the reason why they are no longer able to work or if they go on a long-term illness," Mr. Creamer said. "And that documentation is reviewed by the town's independent third-party medical services to provide validation or certification that everything seems to be consistent. And, prior to those individuals coming back to work, they have to go see this independent physician or this third party to get signed off to go back to work, as opposed to it solely being their personal physician."

Mr. Suhoski said the town has an agreement with Harrington Hospital, but he could not say if a specific physician is part of the agreement. In addition, Mr. Suhoski said, the town has the ability under certain collective bargaining agreements to request an independent examination if there is a question about the doctor's report.

"We don't get a lot of these, for the folks at home," Mr. Suhoski said.

During the citizens' forum portion of the meeting, resident Virginia Peabody, whose husband of 31 years, Carl M. Peabody, died in February, took offense at Mr. Creamer's remarks and responded to them while wrestling to hold back tears.

"This is what you said but this is what I heard," Ms. Peabody said. "I don't know the background when you were discussing personnel and going out on an injury, but from where I sat, I assure you, that EMT and ambulance service that you were talking about — in the last two years, we have used the ambulance service at least 10 times. I have found them to be the most professional, caring personnel that you can possibly deal with in an emergency.

"And any hint of disparaging that I heard they don't deserve. They are outstanding. I say that from personal experience in very trying circumstances."

Mr. Creamer said he simply wanted to know what processes the town currently has in place when dealing with injured-on-duty claims. He added that his inquiry had nothing to do with the claim that was in front of selectmen that evening.